Students get spruced up for school

Dozens of school kids got a fresh haircut and some school supplies before their summer break ends Labor Day weekend. Area barbers, stylists and firefighters volunteered Monday at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.

A local barber volunteers his time to help kids get ready for the school year at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, in Alexandria. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – If looks could study.

Dozens of school kids got a fresh haircut and some school supplies before their summer break ends Labor Day weekend.

Area barbers, stylists and firefighters volunteered Monday at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.

“We want the kids to go back with the right tools, lookin’ good,” says Capt. Willie Bailey, of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. “Self esteem.”

Along with haircuts, students picked up backpacks of school supplies and a few clothing items.

A barber named Marvin has volunteered the past two years. “A good haircut on opening day can be encouraging to kids,” he said, while doing a basic low, even cut.

“We have a lot of kids coming to school on the first day, and they don’t have new sneakers, they don’t have a haircut,” he says. “What this does is give them good motivation.”

The cuts will keep coming – volunteers will go out to two more locations this week. They are:

Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Rd., Alexandria, Va.

Reston Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Rd., Reston, Va.

On Thursday at Fire Station 11 (6624 Hulvey Terrace, Alexandria), firefighters will give out up to 3,000 backpacks to schools, shelters and non-profits.